Video: Rich Paul Talks Bronny James Draft Rumors, Defends Lakers Guard amid Struggles

Sports agent and Klutch Sports Group founder Rich Paul appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and discussed numerous topics regarding his client, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James.

Of note, Paul addressed rumors during the NBA draft that Bronny would play in Australia's NBL if he wasn't selected by the Lakers, first reported by ESPN's Bob Myers.

Regarding the rumors, Paul had this to say (9:00 mark).

"I think the matter-of-fact thing is you have a relationship with people and you make the calls. They respect each other. They understand why and they understand what was at stake in this case and so there were several teams that had interest in Bronny, but you do have the calls and you talk about it and they understand and so that's just relationships throughout the league.

"The Australia thing. That is what it is, but in terms of having real conversations with people that actually had real interests and asking them or having a conversation of why you felt a certain way, and you know it goes both ways. Sometimes, it goes my way sometimes, It goes that way, so we help each other in that regard."

That never happened, as the Lakers selected James and signed him to a four-year, $7.9 million contract.

James is now four games through summer league action. While he's fared well defensively, James has endured significant offensive growing pains, scoring 4.3 points a game on 7-of-31 shooting (22.6 percent) in 25.5 minutes per outing.

Paul spoke about those early issues with McAfee (10:30 mark).

"I think all these guys are in development, right? Bronny is no different. He doesn't get to be excluded from having to develop. Obviously, he wants to make shots, and he will make shots, but again, it's just about building great habits. The opportunity for Bronny to play at the league level would be on the defensive end, and that's something that he's really good at now. The other components of the game, he has to get better at, and he will...

"The offensive stuff will come. Bronny has a great IQ, he has a great feel for the game. The shot will fall."

One doesn't have to look far on social media or various outlets to see criticism of the Lakers for choosing James in the draft or highlights of James' struggles. But James is ultimately four games into his summer league career, and he's just 19 years old. The Lakers are obviously giving him plenty of runway to develop, and he's nowhere near being a finished product on the basketball court.

But the buck stops with Lakers governor Jeanie Buss on the choice, as Paul said. And he also expressed confidence in James putting in his work for his development as an NBA player (14:40 mark).

"Look, Jeanie Buss decided that she's making this call, and she's been able to see Bronny in all aspects not only from a basketball perspective but also from a character perspective. And he has everything that aligns with the Laker brand. And so, you have to make that type of call. At the end of the day, we're not going to spend too much time on that. Bronny has to work his way, and he will."

For now, James will continue his summer league stint. Up next is a matchup against No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET in Las Vegas.